Moscow to Vladivostok Aboard the Golden Eagle

The Classic Route operates from Moscow to Vladivostok and in reverse. Spanning almost 6,000 miles of track connecting these two cities, the Classic Route takes in the southern tip of Lake Baikal and the charming Siberian cities of Irkutsk and Ulan Ude, and travels along the Chinese border. Watch from the comfort of the deluxe private train as the cities and industrial centers give way to little villages and miles of wilderness.

Discover the eerie sound of throat-singing

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Enjoy a home-cooked meal with Siberia’s Old BelieversMake a village visit to enjoy a home cooked meal and hear the powerful centuries-old songs of Old Believers, learning about their unique history and traditions...

Our rail journeys by private train are in a class of their own, allowing travelers to experience remote destinations in style and comfort – particularly enjoyable on such lengthy and legendary routes as the Trans-Siberian and the Silk Route. Group sizes are flexible and can be more than 100 passengers.

Itinerary & Highlights at a Glance

Days 1-2: Moscow (Russia)

Enjoy a one-night stay at a five star hotel in Moscow. Tour the classic sights of this 870-year-old capital city, including expansive Red Square and the venerable Kremlin, or opt for a tour of the Tretyakov Gallery instead. In the evening depart aboard the luxury Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express private train.

Highlights

Moscow’s 870-year-old Kremlin and Red Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Tour of the Armory Museum, housing Russia’s national treasures, or visit the world-class Tretyakov Gallery of Russian art

Days 3-4: Kazan, Ekaterinburg

Make a stop in Kazan, the beautiful capital of Tatarstan on the Volga, where a kremlin wall surrounds the old town, and where both minarets and Orthodox churches are found. Cross from Europe into Asia at Ekaterinburg. Visit the site where the last czar, Nicholas II, and his family were held under house arrest for months before the Bolsheviks executed them in July of 1918.

Highlights

UNESCO-listed Kazan Kremlin, once a fortress of the Golden Horde

Church on the Blood in Ekaterinburg, where Nicholas II and his family perished

Day 5: Novosibirsk

Stop in Novosibirsk, a Siberian town that grew into a city due to its position on the Trans-Siberian line. Visit the massive Opera House, Lenin Square, and the Ob River, flowing 2,300 miles from its source to the Arctic.

Highlights

Largest opera house in Russia

Days 6-7: Aboard Train, Irkutsk

Arrive in Irkutsk, the “capital” of Siberia. The tour includes the major sights of this cultured little city, including examples of the classic wooden architecture for which the area is known.

Highlights

Day 8: Lake Baikal

A spectacular part of the journey today is spent winding through tunnels and around cliffs along the shoreline of Lake Baikal, the world’s deepest and oldest freshwater lake. Stop en route for a barbeque at the lake’s edge and continue to the village of Listvyanka. Visit the Baikal Museum, showcasing the fascinating ecosystem of the lake.

Highlights

Circumbaikal Railway, the most scenic stretch of the original Trans-Siberian Railway

Little Listvyanka village on the shores of UNESCO-listed Lake Baikal, the oldest and deepest lake on earth

Day 9: Ulan Ude

Today, stop in Ulan Ude, capital of the Buryat Republic and the Buddhist region of Russia. Visit a village of Old Believers for a concert featuring local singers and musicians.

Highlights

Ulan Ude, capital of the Buryat Republic with the world’s largest Lenin head

Village visit to Old Believers, exiled to Siberia after they rebelled against the 17th century reforms of the Orthodox liturgy

Day 10: Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia)

Dipping down onto the steppe of Mongolia, the train makes a stop in Ulaanbaatar, the country’s capital. Tour the Gandan Monastery, experience Mongolian cuisine in a nomadic ger and enjoy a cultural performance.

Highlights

Ulaanbaatar, capital and most important city in Mongolia

Performance of Mongolian throat-singing and traditional dances

Days 11-13: Aboard Train

Siberia is at its most remote and mysterious unfolds before you as the train follows the Shilka and Amur Rivers and passes through Khabarovsk.

Highlights

Days 14-15: Vladivostok (Russia)

Arriving in Vladivostok, enjoy a city tour that includes the principal attractions of this once off-limits Russian city. Transfer to a four star hotel for a one-night stay and enjoy a farewell dinner.

Highlights

Vladivostok, Pacific Rim port city and terminus of the Trans-Siberian line

Our rail journeys by private train are in a class of their own, allowing travelers to experience remote destinations in style and comfort – particularly enjoyable on such lengthy and legendary routes as the Trans-Siberian and the Silk Route. Group sizes are flexible and can be more than 100 passengers.

Our rail journeys by private train are in a class of their own, allowing travelers to experience remote destinations in style and comfort – particularly enjoyable on such lengthy and legendary routes as the Trans-Siberian and the Silk Route. Group sizes are flexible and can be more than 100 passengers.

Prepare for Your Trip

International Airfare

MIR's in-house, full-service air department will gladly assist with your air travel needs.

Travel Insurance

Stay a Little Longer…

MIR can arrange for an extended program in St. Petersburg, Moscow, or Eastern or Central Europe before or after your tour. Extend your post-tour with a day trip outside Vladivostok to visit a family of endangered Siberian tigers living at the Amur Tiger Rehabilitation Center. All of MIR’s destinations are open to you, and all can be attached to this program. Please contact MIR for more details about exciting options for extended travel.

Is this Trip Right for You?

This trip is moderately active, and rated moderate to rigorous touring due to the daily walking involved and the overall shortcomings of the tourism infrastructure. To reap the full rewards of this adventure, travelers must be able to walk at least a mile a day, keeping up with fellow travelers. A full list of details about the rigors of this tour are explained in the Detailed Descriptive Itinerary.

Read our Travel Journals

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Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express

The perfect combination of remote destinations and comfortable accommodations, rail journeys by private train open a world of discovery to travelers who enjoy comfort and leisure time as well as exciting new vistas.

The exclusive Golden Eagle private train furnishes the dream of Old World rail travel with modern comforts and amenities that make the journey as pleasant as the destination. The luxurious Golden Eagle is a fully en suite train and a restful and satisfying way to experience legendary rail routes.

Train & Hotel Accommodations

Relax and enjoy the panorama rolling past your private window and disembark for guided off-train touring in fascinating towns and cities along the way.

Each sleeping carriage on the Golden Eagle has its own attendants who provide bed turndown service, plus tea, coffee and mineral water 24 hours a day. Attendants keep an eye on everything while guests are away from the train. L’Occitane body products, as well as premium bathrobes, slippers and a hairdryer, are provided in all cabin categories.

Imperial Suite

Imperial Suites are the most beautiful and spacious cabins available onboard the Golden Eagle. Measuring a surprising 120 sq ft (11.1 sq meters), they are furnished with a luxurious king size bed, dedicated seating area, dressing table and private en suite facilities with large power shower and under floor heating. Individual air-conditioning, wardrobe, DVD/CD player with LCD screen and two large picture windows make the cabin a pleasant retreat.

Gold Class

Gold Class cabins are well-proportioned and feature modern en suite amenities including power showers, under floor heating, a DVD/CD player, LCD screen, remote-controlled air-conditioning/heating, recessed lighting and wardrobe and a personal safe. Each cabin is configured with upper and lower berths, and can accommodate double, twin or single occupancy.

Note: The 5th compartment is of a slightly different layout (68 sq ft), and will normally be allocated to single guests.

(click on photo to see larger version)

Silver Class

Silver Class cabins are more compact than Gold Class cabins with similar facilities. Silver Class cabins feature the same amenities as Gold Class cabins but in a smaller space and with a smaller, wet room-style shower area.

Hotel Accommodations

The first and last nights of most tours are spent in well-appointed four and five star hotels. Some tours feature additional hotel nights. Please review the detailed itinerary for specifics pertaining to each tour and departure. Additional nights before and after any tour can be arranged on request.

Life Aboard the Train

The Golden Eagle private train provides everything you need for a pleasurable journey. Join travelers from around the world to enjoy the relaxed and casual environment onboard, with no need to wear formal attire on excursions or while dining.

Train formations are not fixed, as the composition varies to suit the number of passengers on a given departure. Group sizes on winter trips are generally more intimate than spring, summer or fall departures. The exact configuration of the train on any particular journey may not be determined until close to departure.

Please note that a variety of cabins styles are in use aboard the train. Decor, layout, type and number of dining, bar and sleeping cars on your journey may differ from the sample images depicted in our brochures/websites.

Bar/Lounge Car

A Bar/Lounge Car is a favorite destination in the train formation and is typically included on most departures. The lounge offers a relaxing and comfortable area where you can enjoy a drink, take language lessons, and gather around the piano with other passengers.

Dining Cars

Dining Cars feature local and European cuisine complemented by a selection of local and European wines (except on trips in Iran). Dining cars are multi-purpose, used for on-board lectures and viewing documentaries. One or more dining cars may be included in the train formation of any given departure depending on the number of passengers.

Off-Train Tours

Rail journeys feature an extensive selection of educational city tours in the various stops on our routes. Private coaches and local guides whisk you away from your private train for fascinating half- or full-day forays into the principal towns and cities, sometimes including an in-city dining opportunity. Read through this tour’s itinerary for more information (found on the Itinerary & Map tab of this page).

Have a Question?

Send us your question below and we will get back to you soon. We can also be reached by phone 8:30am-5:30pm Pacific time, Monday-Friday toll free at 800-424-7289.

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Traveler Reviews

“This is trip of a lifetime and more than just a train journey. This is also a chance to see a phenomenal cross-section of Russia (and Mongolia) in a relatively short time. Great camaraderie and interaction with the passengers.”- A. Mowatt Jr. - New York, NY